Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-03

IT, Almost quicker snnh w"
write II the carpenter, acting under the
Professors instructions, had extempo-
,;ytd some sort of cot, which APP
neared 10 hold the shattered frame as
easily Ga il could be held, and the Doc
tor LAYING first revived his patient by
some stimulant, proceeded to examine
end acertain the full extent OF ms IN,
iuries. touching him with o light hand
and wearing serious, Sympathetic
face. Poor John, now rs white as
sheet and already but the ghost OF him
self, kept his eyes fixed ON HIM mean
while as Il seeking TO learn his fate
from the Doctors countenance. linen
came the setting and splintering OF the
broken bones, during which the poor
fellow tainted, but was speedily re-
stored.
"WeIl. Doctor, are there any chances
for him ?" we asked after 1t was all
over.
"Ob, yes" he replied "unless he
has received some INTERNAL injuries,
which do not OF present appear, he will
get over it will, good care and nursing.
although he is badly broken up. But
he is q strong man, has led q temperate
life, should Judge, and he has plenty
of stamina to bring him through
The Professor came down every day
for awhile to look after his patient, who
wns soon crawling around under ms
care. This of course established the
Professor's reputation as medical
man. but as he seemed crazier than ever
on his Iable-Mountain scheme and
persisted in talking about his "anclent
river" with the conviction OF one who
had been inside of it and seen 1t, we
became convinced that he was really
demented, at least on that particular
subject, and pitied him, the more be-
cause of his talent and learning.
When the time came that his services
were no longer necessary, John wanted
to paw him, of course. but he wouldnot
take a dollar. "No, gentlemen, he
said, "Iremember-I shall always re-
member-your kind reception of the
tired stranger, and except for poor
Johns sake, am rejoiced at this OPP
portunity of showing my appreciation
of it,"
But we we're not OF the sort to be put
off in that way. We knew that the old
man must be very poor, burying every
cent he had in that barren, God-for-
saken mountain. So We made up a lit
tie purse-Spencer gave four ounces OF
dust. This we spread on tray, which
we passed round to the boys. Each
pulled out his leather purse, and added
a pinch, until we had little over eight
ounces, which Harry and undertook
TO deliver to the Professor, and prevail
on him to accept the next Sunday
morning.
We we're very glad OF the chance to
visit him. He had invited rs several
times, it is true, but he might have
thought that we went to spy out and
laugh at his folly; whereas on the
present occasion he could put no such
Interpretation upon our visit. We an
ticipated considerable difficulty in pre-
vailing upon him to accept the purse,
but we resolved to try it. AT the worst
we could leave it somewhere where he
would be sure to find it.
1t was now in the fall. The Profes-
sor had been at work several months !;
but We were not prepared to see such
extensive improvements or anything on
so systematic plan. Our pity and re-
pret increased as we saw the evidences
Of a really considerable expenditure,
evidently destined. from the scale on
which the work was begun, to continue
several years.
This is q craze with 4 vengeance, "
said Harry. "What can have pos
sessed tho poor old fellow ?"
There was already quito considera-
BILE dump at the mouth OF the tunnel, a
good track, well-made cars, the mouth
of the tunnel well faced up and neatly
timbered. several frame buildings, the
lumber for which must have been
packed over from jim Town ; q black
smith and carpenters shop, several
acres of land under fence, and an air
of prosperity which was very painful
to see, knowing how it must oil end.
We found the Professor in his accus-
toned suit of rusty black, not emitting
the stovepipe." He was very glad to
see us. for we were favorites, evidently.
He showed us around the place with
manifest pride, though the more we
saw the more we were surprised and
the more sorry we felt for him.
At his "oflice he showed us topo-
graphical chart of the vicinity, made
from his own surveys plan OF the
tunnel, with the course of the "ancient
river" laid down a plan of the
buildings, fences, improvements, etc ,
all in regular form. There, too, he
kept his surveying instruments, and on
a table in the centre Of the room were
a number of maps, some shells, some
minerals looking like petrifactions,
which | took to be fossil remains, and
so on. At the desk in q corner were
his books, accounts, letters, some Off
cial-looking papers, and adjoining a
press for taking copies of his CORE
spondence, all in perfect order as in
any real concern. He had four hands
constantly employed, besides two or
three mechanics, three Danes, and a
Norwegian. He was going to increase
| ms force SnDIllN, nt Shlu'
We visited the tunnel, boir OF us
feeling as though party to fraud. He
had made great Roadway at first, but
now the work was in the hardest kind
of rock and progress was not more thar
q foot a week. This did not appear to
discourage the Professor at all on the
contrary, be struck the rock, making
the sparks fly, and appeared to derive
great satisfaction from its adamantine
character, discoursing the while learn
edly upon the nature of the formation,
the shape and characteristics OF the
rim" and of the scoriaceous rock
outside. Harry and both felt anxiou:
to dispel the fatal hallucination. but
knew that it would be too cruel to dc
so. Besides, he WAS so scientific, and
we had nothing but our sound common
sense TO offset his science. And how
can one prove his point when opposed
by arguments too learned for his com
prehension?
"If he would only drop his hisl
science" said Harry, "we could per
haps get a little common sense int
him."
But the laboratory" chemicals
collection Of minerals, etc, ovcrcam,
Harry a little, as they did me so w
proceeded TO the business of our visit
But the Professor would not even lool
at our money.
"Noi MOI" he said. "Noi No
not from any of you gentlemen no